Automobile.



L. BROWN.

AUTOMOBILE.

APPLICATION FILED 0012a, 1912 Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PEYERS 60.. PHDTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON. r) C.

L. BROWN. AUTOMOBILE. APPLICATION FILED 001a, 1912.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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TH NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITE: 1 WASHINGTON. D C.

L. BROWN.

AUTOMOBILE.

APPLIGATION FILED 0GT.3, 1912.

1, 1 1 6,791 Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHING TON r). C

L. BR

OWN.

AUTOMOBILE.

APPLICATION I I LED OGT. 3,1912.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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UNITED TATES A ENroFFIC LEROY BROWN, or DAYTON, WASHINGTON, AssroNon or o n-roun'rn N. BROWN, or DAYTON, WASHINGTON. a

AUTOMOBILE.

Application filed October 3,1912. Serial No; 723,752.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEROY BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Columbia and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automobiles, more particularly to the running. gear portions of vehicles of this charactor, and has for one of its objects to improve the construction and increase the efficiency and utility of devices of this char,- acter.

Another object of the invention isto provide a device of this construction having an improved arrangement of springs whereby the jars and concussions which are encounteredby the driving wheels'will be absorbed and not transmitted to the running gear or the passengers when applied to passenger-transporting vehicles or to freight or other articles when employed in connection with freight vehicles or the like.

Another object ofthe invention is to. pro-v vide an improved construction of steering gear in coaction with the other portions of the apparatus. j 1' f With these and other objectsin view, the

invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereafter shown and described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a plan view of the im proveddevice with the body, seats, and engine removed; Fig. 2 is a front elevation partly in section; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of one of the forward swivel axles'illustrating its construction; Fig. .4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig.3; Fig. 5 is a rear elevation with the seat removed; Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on the line 66 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a side elevation with the forward gear in section on the line 77 of Fig." 2 and the rear gear in section on the line 88 of Fig. 5.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following descriptionandindicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters. I

The forward axle is formed with an intermediate body portion 10 upturned at the ends as shown at 11-12, and with lugs Specification of Letters Patent.

j PatentedNov. 10 1914.

1314 directed outwardly from the upv turned portlon 11, and similar lugs 1516 transversely to receivethe squared portion 19 of a relatively heavy pin20.* The pins 20 are each provided with a stop'coll'ar 21 hearing againstthelowerends of the lugs 1 1 and 16. The pins'20 are each retained in position by a relativelyhea'vy key'22 extending through its upper end and bearing against the upper end of the lugs 13 and 15. At their lower end each pin 20 is provided with a square bearing'23 to respectively receive steering arms 24. By this arrangement the pins 20 are rigidly coupled in the heads 17. By this simple arrangement it Wlllbfi obvious that when thesteering arms moved therewith as hereafter more fully ex plained.

are actuated the axle journals 18 will. be

Pivotally connected at its. ends at 35%36 I to the outerends of the steering arms 24 is a rod 37, and connected to the forward axle 10 isa guide member 38Phaving a longitudinal slot 39 through which therod 37. ex-

tends loosely. Surrounding thefrod 37 and bearing against opposite sides of the guide member 3 8,"are springs 40- 41. Adjustablyseciiredby aset. screw 42150 the rod 37 is a stop collar 43 against which the spring 40 bears 'at' its outer end, while a similar stop collar 44 is adjustablysecured to the to guide the vehicle in astraight line for,

wardly and to return the wheels automatically to their central and forwardly directed position after being released by the" steering mechanism, as hereafter more fully explained.

The rear axle comprises body portions 2526 having axle journals on their outer endsand spaced apart at their inner ends" and supporting the difierential gear within a casing 27, the gear not being shown as'it forms no part of the present invention.

Surrounding the body portions 2526 of the rear axle are tubular supporting menibers 2829 and mounted upon these tubular members and secured thereto by clips 30 or other suitable fastening devices, is a false axle 31, having an upwardly curving central portion 32 to bear over the casing of the differential gear and likewise provided with upturned terminals3384, the latter corresponding closely to the upturned portions 11-12 of the forward axle. The upwardly curved portion 32 also serves 5 as a bumper to the rear springs, while a similar bumper 46 for the forward springs is connected to the central portion 10 of the forward axle. The central portion 10 of the forward axle is coupled to the tubular members 28 29 of the rear axle by reach members 47, the latter being preferably coupled to the axles by suitable clips, as shown. The reach members are supported from downward deflection by brace rods 48.,and supports or struts 49, as shown. The rear axle is further supported by lateral braces 50 which couple the reaches with the rear axle. By this means a very stifl' and strong frame is produced in which a relatively small amount of material is employed, and so distributed as to secure support in all directions so that the,

severe strains to which devices of this character are subjected, will be effectually resisted and the displacement of the parts correspondingly prevented.

Supported upon the axle braces 47 isa bar 51 and held in position by straps or bearings 52. By this means the bar is held from movement vertically or longitudinally of the reach members, while atthe same time free to slide transversely of the frame Supported upon the upper face of the bar 51, is a gear rack 53 with which. a gear pinion 54 engages. The gear is mounted for rotation upon a short shaft 55 which is supported in a standard 56, the latter being in turn supported upon a transverse bearing member 57 supported upon the reaches 47. The steering rod 58 is coupled to the shaft 55 by a universal joint 59 and is provided with the usual steering wheel 60. By this simple means it will be obvious that when the rod 58 is rotated the bar 51 will be moved transversely of the frame. at 61 to the inner end of one of the steering arms 24, is a connecting rod 62 which is pivoted at its inner end at 63 to the bar 51.

A similar rod 64 is pivoted at 65 at its outer end to the inner end of theother steering arm 24 and pivoted at its inner end to the pin 63 of the arm 51. By this simple means it will be obvious that an effectual steering device is produced whereby the forward wheels may be cramped to any required ex- Pivoted gear the forward wheels will be autOmatically returned to their forwardly directed )osition as above described.

Connected at 66 to the upturned portion 11 of the forward axle, is a bracket 67, while a similar bracket 68 is connected at 69 tothe upturned portion 12 of the forward axle. Slidably disposed through the bracket 67 is a rod 70,while a similar rod 71 extends through the bracket 68. At its lower end the rod 70 is provided with a hook 72, while a similar hook 73 is disposed at the lower end of the red 71. At their upper ends the rods 70 and 71 are each provided with a head beneath which the upper ends of coil springs engage, the lower ends of the springs bearing upon the upper face of the bracket. It will be understood that each ofthe rods 70 and 71 is provided with one of the springs, but as they are precisely alike, one only is shown at the left in Fig. 2, and inclicated by the character 74, while the head or enlargement at the upper end of the pin is indicated by the character 75. Extending between the hooks 72 and '73, are relatively heavy leaf springs 76 which are coupled at their outer ends by links 77 and 78 respectively to the hooks 72 and 73. The springs 76 are connected centrally thereof to a coupling plate 7 9, and coupled at 80 to theplate 79, is a bolster beam 81. At its outer ends the bolster extends over the main side rails 8283 of the supporting frame, the side rails being preferably formed of L-bars as shown. Extending through the bolster 81 at each end, and likewise through the lower webs of the side rails 8283, is a vertical pin,

one of which is represented at 84, and each with an enlarged lower end 85 hearing against the lower web of the side rail.

Each of the pins 84 is also provided with an enlarged head 86 and surrounded by a coil spring 87 bearing-at its ends respectively :beneath the head 86,'and against the upper face of the bolster 81, the latter beingpreferably enlarged laterally and with a shallow socket'in the enlarged portion to receive the lower end of the spring. Surrounding each of the pins 7 O and 71, and likewise surrounding the springs 74, is a tubular guard 88, while similar tubular guards surround the ins 84 and the springs 87. The tubular guards are providedrespectively with caps 89. By this means the springs are protect-ed from the elements and from dust and moisture. The tubular guards of the pins 70-71 are supported in position by straps 90 from the upturned portions 1112 of the forward axle, while the tubular guards of the pins 84 are supported by brackets 91 rising from the bolster 81.

Supported at 92 and 93, from the upwardly directed portions 3334 of the false tect them from the elements.

axle 31, are supporting brackets 94 and 95 and extending downwardly through. each bracket, is a pin similar to the pins and 71 and each having a terminal hook 96;

through the ends of the bolsters 99 and like wise through the lower webs of the 'side rails 8283, are pins similar to the pins 84..

and provided with enlarged lower ends 102 which bear beneath the side rails. The pins are provided with coil springs bearing upon the bolster 99 in the same manner as the springs 87 bear upon the forward bolster 81, but as these springs are precisely alike, it is not thought necessary to illustrate them. Bearing upon the bolster 99, at its ends are tubular cover members 103 which cover the springs and pro- The tubular cover members are each provided with a shielding cap 104. The tubular members 103 are each supported by abracket 105 from the bolster 99. The tubular guards 103 are supported imposition from the upturned portion 3334 of the false axle byv straps 106.

The seats and floor of the vehicleare carried by the side rails 4748 and vehicle may be constructed to support any required num ber of seats, but for the purpose of illustration one seat only is shown and consists in abase member 107 preferably of wood and carries a vertical shell portion 108 preferably of sheet metal. The shell portion 108 is preferably oblong and corresponds substantially to the outline of an ordinary vehicle seat. At its upper end the shell 108 is provided with a supporting member 109 also preferably of wood. An upper. shell 110 telescopically engages the lower shell 108 and is provided with a cushion-supporting member or seat 111 at its upper end. The member 108 is surrounded by the usual cushion-supporting frame 112, while springs 113 are located between the members 108 and 110. The seat member is preferably located above the rear axle, but may be located at other points, as may be preferred.

Connected to the rear wheels114, are the usual brake disks one of which. is repre sented at 115, and surrounded by a flexible brake band 116 and yieldable brake shoe lining 117.. Rising from the reach members 47 near their rear ends in advance of'the rear axle, aresta ndards 118, while. similar standards 119 are mounted uponthe braces 50, the standards being provided with bearlngs in their upper ends through which a shaftflorrod represented at 120 ismounted for rotation. Mounted for rotation in the standards and spaced above the shaft 120, I

are stub shafts 121, the stub shafts extending through the standards. whilethe shaft 120 extends from side to side of they machine and through both sets of the standards. Mounted upon each end of the shaft 120, is

a gear wheel one'of which is represented at y 122, while similar gear wheels 123 are con nected respectively to the shafts 121 and meshwith thegears 122. Connected to the shaft 120, is an arm 12.4, and mounted to swing at 125 upon the frame meinber82, is

a foot lever 126 which isconnected by a link I 126 to the arm 124. The terminals of the brake strap 116, are connectedrespectively to the gears 122 and 123 as shown. By this means it will be obvious thatwhen the foot lever 126 is depressed the arm 124 will rotate the shaft 120 and through the coaction of the gears 122 and 123, strain will be imparted to the brake strap and the brake applied." The foot lever 126 is located convenient to the foot of the operator upon the seat of the vehicle, as represented in Figs. land 7. By this simple arrangement it will be obvious that a powerful brake is produced which is simple in construction and effective in operation.

. At the left of Fig. 2, one of the forward wheels indicated conventionally at127, is shown. partly broken away with the hub indicated conventionally at 128 in section. The interior of the hub is considerably larger than the diameter of the axle journal 18, and is provided with a suitable antifriction bushing 129, the bushing being provided intermediate its ends with an inwardly directed annular stop rib 130. 'A stop collar 131 surrounds the axle journal 18 at its inner end, and is located within the bushing as shown in Fig. 2. Fitting over the threaded outer end of the axle journal is a cap 132 having an inwardly directed annular sleeve 133 which engages between the bushing and the axle journal .near its outer end. By this means two annular spaces are produced between. the bushing, and the journal and defined by the stop col-v lar 131 the stop rib 130 and the sleeve 133. Mounted within the spaces thus defined between the bushing and the journal are antifrictio-n rollers 134, one set of the rollers bearing. against the stop collar 131 and the other set of rollers being against the sleeve 133. Located between the outer set of rollers and the stop rib 130, are springs 135, while similarsprings 136 are locatedbetween the stop rib and the inner set of rollers. By thisv simple means it will be obvious that an effectual anti-friction bearing is produced which holds the wheel yieldably in position through the action of the springs while permitting lateral movement of the wheel against the resistance of the springs in event of the wheels being subjected to a lateral pressure or concussion. Thus if the wheel comes in contact with an obstruction which would produce lateral movement thereto, this movement is coun-' teracted by the yieldable nature of the springs, and permits the wheel to move laterally and relieves the running gear from the effect of such obstruction.

In Fig. 6, the hub portion of the improved wheel is shown intransverse section to illustrate the relative arrangement of the parts.

, Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An automobile including a forward axle and a rear axle, each of said axles having spring supports, a bolster coacting with each of said axles, suspension devices movable relative to said spring supports, springs connected respectively to said bolsters and to said suspension devices, other springs connected to said suspension devices and bearing upon said spring supports, a body supporting frame, and means for coupling said body supporting frame to said bolsters.

2. An automobile including a forward axle and a rear axle, each of said axles having spring supports, a bolster coacting with each of said axles, suspension devices movable relative to said spring supports, springs connected respectivelyto said bolsters and to said suspension devices, other springs connected to said suspension devices and bearing upon said spring supports, other suspension devices movable relative to said bolsters, a body supporting frameconnected to said last-mentioned suspension devices, and a spring connected to each of said lastmentioned suspension devices and bearing respectively upon said bolsters. I

3. In an automobile, coacting axle shells, a casing for a compensating gear coupled to the confronting ends of said coacting shells, a supporting member bearing upon said axle shells having up-turned terminals, fastening means connecting said supporting member to said axle shells, spring supports carried by the upturned terminals of said supporting member, bolster devices adapted to support an automobile body, springs. bearing upon said spring supports, and coupling means between said springs and bolster devlces.

4. An automobile including a forward axle and a rear axle, said axles having upturned terminals, brackets carriedby the upturned terminals of said axles, rods mov-. able through said brackets, springs supported by said rods, a coupling spring united to :said rods, bolster members supported by said coupling springs, a supporting frame, rods extending through said supporting frame and bolster members, and' other springs supported by said last-mentioned rods and bearing upon said bolster members.

5. In a vehicle, a forward axle having guideways, a rear axle having guicleways, spring supported suspension members operating respectively through said guideways, a forward bolster, a rear bolster, spring supported suspension members operatlng respectively through said bolsters, a spring connectedto said bolster and the suspension members of said forward axle, a spring connected to said rear bolster and the suspension members of said rear axle, and a supporting frame carried by the suspension members of said bolsters.

6. In an automobile, coacting axle shells, a casing 'for a compensating gear coupled to the confronting ends of said coacting shells, a supporting member bearing upon said axle shells and having up-turned terminals, fastening means connecting said supporting member to said axle shells, brackets connected to said up-turned terminals and having depending portions engaging said supporting member, bolster devices adapted to support an automobile body, springs bearing on said brackets, and coupling means between said springs and bolster devices.

7. An automobile including a forward axle and a rear axle, said axles having up turned terminals provided with spring sup ports, bracketscarried by said upturned axle terminals and spaced from said spring supports, hood devices supported by said brackets and engaging said spring supports, springs within said hood devices and hearing upon said spring supports, bolsters supported by said supporting frame, and means connecting said bolsters and springs.

8. An automobile including a forward axle and a rear axle, each of said axles having spring supports, a reach device connecting said axles, a bolster coacting with each of said axles, suspension devices movable relative to said spring supports, springs connected respectively to said bolsters and to said suspension devices, other springs connected to said suspension devices and hearing upon said spring supports, a body supporting frame, and means for coupling said body supporting frame to said bolsters.

9. In a vehicle, an axle, suspension means movable relative to said axle, a bolster, suspension-means movable relative to said bolster, springs connected respectively to said suspension means, a supporting frame, means for coupling said bolster to the suspension means of the axle, and means for coupling the supporting frame to the sus pension means of the bolster.

10. An automobile including a forward axle and a rear axle, reach members conaxle and a rear axle having guide members, a supporting body, spring supported suspension devices movable through said guide members, a bolster coacting with each of said axles, springs arranged to suspend said 20 body from said bolsters, and springs connected to said bolsters and supported by said 7 suspension devices.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEROY BROWN. [L.S.]

Witnesses:

WM. WEATHERFORD, H. N. BROWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01 Iatentq, Washington, D. Q. 

